The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is set to benefit significantly from a P35 billion allocation for infrastructure and road connectivity in 2025, aimed at boosting regional development. Khadaffy Tanggol, the director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cordillera, announced this substantial budget during a recent media interview, emphasizing its role in enhancing travel comfort through the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges.
Tanggol highlighted that the region’s infrastructure projects for the upcoming year include road improvements, new road constructions, paving, and maintenance activities. Additionally, the budget covers the building and upkeep of bridges across the region. The director also mentioned ongoing and planned flood control projects, which are crucial for disaster risk reduction and poverty alleviation efforts.
Despite being a smaller region, Tanggol expressed gratitude towards the national government for consistently providing a robust budget. He noted that this financial support is vital for improving internal connectivity within the landlocked region. According to recent data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the region experienced a 6.9 percent growth in 2023, partly attributed to these infrastructure developments.
DPWH-Cordillera statistics reveal that 98 percent of the region’s 2,323 kilometers of roads are paved, with only two out of 350 bridges being temporary. Furthermore, the region has constructed 68,528 linear meters of flood control structures. Tanggol concluded by stating that these achievements are paving the way for a more resilient and stronger Cordillera region.